Top 10 Psychological Anime of 2024
1. Oshi no Ko Season 2
The second season of [Oshi no Ko].
Aqua’s desire for revenge takes center stage as he navigates the dark underbelly of the entertainment world alongside his twin sister, Ruby. While Ruby follows in their slain mother’s footsteps to become an idol, Aqua joins a famous theater troupe in hopes of uncovering clues to the identity of his father — the man who arranged their mother’s untimely death, and the man who once starred in the same troupe Aqua hopes to infiltrate.
(Source: HIDIVE)
2. Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3
The third season of Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu.
A year has passed since Subaru’s victory at the Sanctuary. He savors a life of fulfillment while Emilia’s camp stands united for the royal selection—until a fateful letter arrives. Anastasia, a royal selection candidate, has invited Emilia to the Watergate City of Priestella. But as the party begins its journey, crisis stirs beneath the surface and Subaru meets a cruel fate once again.
(Source: Crunchyroll)
Notes:
The first episode has an extended runtime of ~90 minutes, and received an early premiere at Anime Expo on July 5, 2024.
3. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Cour 2
The second season of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a.
The year 11954. YoRHa Soldiers 2B and 9S are newly dispatched to Earth to carry out and support the 243rd Descent Operation. There, they succeed in destroying the machine lifeform core units, Adam and Eve. With the annihilation of these enemies, the Army of Humanity takes this chance to end this long-lasting war and decides on an all-out attack against the machine lifeforms. This is a record of the battles and hopes of Androids and the fate which dictates them all…
As war rages on, Unit 2B and others like her question their role. Reclaiming the planet will take sacrifice, but how much more can they give and is humanity worth the cost?
(Source: Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Twitter)
4. Classroom of the Elite Season 3
The third season of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e.
The third semester kicks off in high gear with a special boot camp deep in the mountains. Forcibly separated into groups along grade and gender lines, the first, second and third years alike must work together to survive the rugged terrain. Even worse? The leader of the group that comes in last will be expelled. Can Class D make it back to campus intact, or is this where they finally say goodbye to one of their own?
(Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)
5. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 3
The third season of Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou.
Hajime Nagumo and his high school class are suddenly summoned to a fantastical land as heroes. But while most of his classmates have powerful stats and abilities, Hajime does not. Underappreciated and unprepared, he tumbles into the depths of a monster-infested dungeon where voracity and sacrifice are his only options. To thrive in this savage world, he’ll have no choice but to welcome the abyss.
(Source: Crunchyroll)
6. Insomnia
Music video animated by Marie Yasui for the song Insomnia by Eve.
Note: The song featured in this music video also serves as the theme song of the 2024 live-action movie "My Home Hero".
7. The Grimm Variations
Once upon a time, brothers Jacob and Wilhelm collected fairy tales from across the land and made them into a book. They also had a much younger sister, the innocent and curious Charlotte, who they loved very much. One day, while the brothers were telling Charlotte a fairy tale like usual, they saw that she had a somewhat melancholy look on her face. She asked them, "Do you suppose they really lived happily ever after?"
The pages of Grimms' Fairy Tales, written by Jacob and Wilhelm, are now presented from the unique perspective of Charlotte, who sees the stories quite differently from her brothers.
(Source: Netflix Anime)
8. The Most Notorious "Talker" Runs the World's Greatest Clan
Noel is the grandson of legendary Seeker Overdeath and dreams of surpassing his strength. But it turns out that Noel is nothing but a Talker, the weakest class of them all. Undeterred, he uses his silver tongue to gather allies, develop cunning strategies, and form the greatest clan around. Now, as the most notorious Talker, Noel will do whatever it takes to claim supremacy.
(Source: Crunchyroll)
Note: Each episode streamed a week in advance on some streaming services. The original TV broadcast started on October 7th, 2024.
9. TRILLION GAME
Old schoolmates Haru and Gaku will do anything to achieve success. And success to them means earning a trillion dollars! But to do so, they’ll need to take full advantage of their own unique skills. Haru is a persuasive and confident speaker who can connect with anyone, while Gaku, although awkward, is an expert programmer. Will their combined talents be enough to make their dream a reality?
(Source: Crunchyroll)
10. Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain
The first movie in the Mononoke movie trilogy.
Asa and Kame strike up an immediate friendship when they arrive at the same time for their first day of duty at the Ooku, the splendid pleasure palace housing the harem of Lord Tenshi. The two young women are there to join the many hundreds of other maidservants—men are barred from entering, with immediate beheading the price of trespassing. It soon becomes clear that behind the luxurious lifestyle and ritualized routines of the Ooku lie sinister schemes and cynical rivalries. Meanwhile, a mysterious wandering potion-peddler known only as the Medicine Seller subtly insinuates himself into the Ooku, just as an uncanny, otherworldly menace begins to reveal itself.
(Source: Fantasia Film Festival)